Lickimat: what the range is and who it suits
We don't publish a star-rating review system for individual brands, so rather than fake one here is the honest version: what Lickimat mats and bowls actually do, how they differ from each other, and which is worth choosing for a dog or cat that wolfs down food, gets bored, or needs calming down at bath and grooming time. The current range we stock is in the grid below.
What a Lickimat actually does
A Lickimat is a textured rubber mat or bowl designed to be smeared with something soft — wet food, plain yoghurt, mashed fruit or vegetable, a bit of peanut butter without xylitol — so an animal has to lick it out of the ridges rather than gulp it down. The licking itself is the point: it is slower than eating from a bowl, and the repetitive motion has a genuinely calming effect on a lot of dogs and cats.
That makes them useful for two quite different problems: a dog or cat that eats too fast and is prone to being sick or uncomfortable afterwards, and an animal that needs distracting or settling during something stressful, such as nail clipping, a bath, or being left alone for a short while.
Which one to choose
Flat mats suit sticking to a smooth surface like a bath wall or fridge door with suction cups, which is the classic use during grooming or a vet visit. Bowl-shaped versions sit on the floor like a normal feeding bowl and work better as an everyday slow-feeding replacement at mealtimes rather than a one-off distraction.
Texture and size vary across the range too — finer ridges suit cats and smaller dogs, while a coarser, larger mat holds more food and gives a big dog longer to work at it. If you are buying for a dog that demolishes a normal bowl in seconds, sizing up rather than down is usually the better call.
From this brand
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl With Mat
A silicone slow-feeder bowl set into a spill-catching tray mat. The ridged centre slows fast eaters and aids digestion, while the raised mat keeps food and water mess off the floor. Soft, non-slip and easy to wipe clean.
From£13.99
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Plush Snuffle Foraging Mat
A roll-up plush snuffle mat with cute animal designs. Hide treats in the folds and let your pet sniff and forage to find them - a rewarding enrichment game that beats boredom and slows feeding.
£13.99
Recordable Dog Talking Buttons with Mat
A set of recordable sound buttons on interlocking non-slip mat tiles that lets your dog 'talk' by pressing for words like food, walks or play. A fun way to build communication and mental enrichment at home.
£28.99
Catit Treat Ball
A rolling cat treat ball that dispenses rewards or closes for ordinary ball play
£7.49
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Carrot Tumbler Treat-Dispensing Toy
A wobbling carrot-shaped tumbler that dispenses treats as pets nudge it, rewarding play and slowing eating.
£17.99
Sunflower Snuffle Mat Slow Feeder
A felt sunflower snuffle mat, roughly 37.5cm across, with yellow petals and a fluffy brown centre that hides kibble and treats. Encourages natural foraging to slow fast eaters and ease boredom. Ties on to fix it in place; machine washable.
£12.99
Duck Treat-Dispensing Puzzle Toy
A duck-shaped puzzle toy that dispenses treats when your pet presses the paddle.
£36.99
Wooden Cat Foraging Maze Puzzle Box
A natural bamboo foraging puzzle box with cut-out channels and recesses that hold treats, kibble or a bell ball. Encourages cats to paw, hunt and problem-solve, slowing greedy eaters and easing boredom. Approx 28 x 28 x 6cm.
£19.99
Spherical Slow Feeder Licking Bowl
A spherical non-slip slow feeder that paces fast eaters and turns mealtimes into a calming licking ritual. The ridged surface slows gulping, aiding digestion and easing boredom for dogs and cats alike.
From£13.99
Common questions
- Are Lickimats worth it for a dog that eats too fast?
- For most dogs, yes — spreading food thinly across the ridges genuinely slows eating down compared with a normal bowl, which can help with the discomfort and occasional vomiting that fast eating causes. A slow-feeder bowl is a reasonable alternative if your dog does not take to the licking motion.
- What can you put on a Lickimat?
- Wet food, plain unsweetened yoghurt, mashed banana or pumpkin, and a smear of dog-safe peanut butter without xylitol are all common fillings. Avoid anything sugary, salty, or made for people rather than pets, and check any new filling is safe for your particular animal first.
- How do you clean a Lickimat?
- Most are dishwasher safe on the top rack, or can be washed by hand with warm soapy water and a brush to get into the ridges. Check the specific product description for the exact care instructions, since this can vary slightly between mats in the range.
- Do Lickimats work for cats as well as dogs?
- Yes, several in the range are sized and textured specifically for cats, with finer ridges suited to a smaller mouth. A cat-specific mat is generally a better starting point than a large dog mat, which can be too coarse or too big for a cat to engage with properly.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.